What goes on at the base is secret. I don't believe its existence was officially acknowledge until circa 1996, when the Clinton administration admitted its existence as part of settling a related lawsuit. Someone, who worked there, sued the military claiming he inhaled hazardous chemicals while working at Area 51. The EPA also found toxic chemicals around there. However, Clinton pardoned it all away so not much was disclosed.

Clinton and his country got sued by a worker , whom won , and the base is still classed as secret just its existance is not

Area 51 is and was a secret. This is the reason that you can't find an Official name for the base, and why it's not listed on maps. If you look at the history of the base, it has never been included on any unclassified Official registry of US Department of Defense facilities.

Tim
ATS Director of Counter-Ignorance

It doesnt officially exist, Area 51 is (to the general public) not a secret but what goes on inside is definately a secret.

Iv always thought that it could not be a base for testing secret military aircraft because there are so many people watching it, theres even one man who watches the airspace around Area 51 Every Day! So if it were for top secret aircraft testing im sure someone would have spotted a flying saucer or aurora flying out of Area 51.

If you look at the history of the base, it has never been included on any unclassified Official registry of US Department of Defense facilities.

That's because technically, it's "owned" by EG&G, a private company, who leases it for government and contractor use. So of course it wouldn't be listed as a base... What better way to keep it secret, than to have it appear to be of the private sector? Anyhow, with all of the recent landgrabs, it'll stay secretive, I'm sure.